Pellea (fern)

Many people know fern as an ornamental plant. Plants of this culture are quite different in their appearance from each other. In this article we will tell you what "pellea" is, one of the varieties of fern. In addition, we will tell you about the different types of pellets. Based on the description of which, you will definitely pick up a plant to your liking. And, of course, a complete description of the pellet, as well as detailed instructions for caring for this plant - in our article.

Fern pellea: photo

General characteristics of pellets

The pellei fern belongs to the Synopteris family. This genus contains about eighty different varieties. In its natural habitat, pellets are found in countries where tropical and temperate climates prevail. For example, New Zealand has a large number of plants that belong to this genus.

Sometimes such a fern is found on the coasts, such species tolerate arid conditions well. If there is no moisture for a long time, then the plant sheds foliage. But the pellei fern itself does not die in this case. When water comes in again, the pellet will form new leaves. It is not difficult to grow pellets at home, it is important to follow the basic rules for care, and then a beautiful ornamental plant will delight the eye.

In indoor conditions, a pellea flower grows a maximum of twenty-five centimeters. The leaves of the indoor flower pellea are quite long, they can grow up to thirty centimeters. The width of the sheet is no more than one and a half centimeters. The vegetative period of the indoor pellet flower is throughout the year. More active growth times are in the spring and summer.

How to properly care for pellea

Fern pellei: photo of indoor flower

As for the light level, the pellet fern will need a bright spot. In this case, the light should be bright, but diffused. If the pellet experiences a lack of light, then the appearance of the foliage is unlikely to please you, it becomes dull and crumbles after a while. With a lack of light, the plant will grow too slowly to develop. If there is no proper amount of natural light, then you can supplement the illumination of plants using special lamps.

The temperature regime is also an important indicator for the normal growth of the fern. In summer, the plant is in the phase of intensive growth of green mass. At this time, the temperature in the room should be approximately +24 degrees. In winter, the pellea fern "rests", the air temperature should drop to +16 degrees. During the dormant period, the plant accumulates energy for further growth, so at this time it is important to provide the right conditions. If the room is too hot, then periodically you need to additionally spray the plant. Otherwise, the leaves will begin to dry out.

The plant needs to be watered regularly, while stagnation of water for the fern is not permissible, otherwise it can provoke the appearance of a fungal infection that will infect the root system of the plant. In the spring and summer, watering is carried out when the soil dries out to a depth of one centimeter. Typically, ferns are watered about three times a week.

In the summer, you need to periodically spray the fern with a spray bottle. When the heating in the apartments is turned on, the spraying procedure must be made more frequent.

Top dressing is applied only in spring and summer, since at this time the plant needs additional nutrients for active growth and development. The winter period is a dormant period, so there is no need to feed the fern with pellets. As a fertilizer, as a rule, mineral dressings with the necessary complex of nutrients are used. The deposit is carried out at intervals of a couple of weeks.

Fern pellea: photo

As for the composition of the soil for the pellet fern, a mixture that will include coarse sand (one part), peat soil (one part) and leafy soil (one part) is best suited. As we said above, water in the soil should not stagnate, therefore, a drainage layer is necessarily laid at the bottom of the planting tank.

You can do it easier and not prepare the soil mixture yourself, but purchase a ready-made substrate that is intended for growing ferns. Many experienced flower growers recommend adding a little charcoal to this soil. So the mixture will become lightweight and friable.

As for the transplant, when choosing a new pot, you should give preference to a container that will be a couple of centimeters larger than the previous pot. Too large a pot is not worth buying. Pellets are transplanted by transshipment. Care must be taken not to damage the root system and to preserve a clod of earth as much as possible. This culture is not very well able to tolerate this procedure. When the plant has been moved to a new pot, carefully cover the remaining empty space with new soil.

Pellet transplant is carried out only if there is a great need for it. This is done when the rhizome has completely filled the earthen lump. Once every two to three years, you need to add new soil to the pot, the old soil must be carefully removed to half the pot.

When you transplant your fern, pay attention to the condition of the bush. In the case of strong growth, it makes sense to divide the plant into parts, which are placed in separate containers.

The pellets need to be trimmed from time to time. This is done for both decorative and sanitary purposes. By trimming, you can create a neat and compact look. In addition, dry and too old shoots and leaves are removed.

Fern pellea: photo

How to propagate pellets

By dividing the plant

This method of propagation is only suitable if the plant is large enough and it has grown a lot. Several shoots need to be separated from the center of the bush, they must have a strong and healthy root system. Then the separated parts of the bush must be planted in separate containers. The pots should be filled with soil, which is also used when replanting adult ferns.

For the best survival of the transplanted plants, cover them on top with polyethylene or place a plastic bottle on top, of which you must first cut the neck. During rooting, you need to maintain the temperature regime at about +23 degrees.

Through dispute

In order to propagate the pellet fern with the help of spores, you need to fill the planting container with soil, then the surface is leveled, and after that the spores are sown. Then you need to cover your crops with plastic or glass. From time to time, the shelter needs to be removed so that the crops are aired. In addition to airing, you need to periodically moisten the soil by spraying. For these purposes, it is convenient to use a spray bottle. It is worth noting that you need to place containers in a shaded place. If you followed all of the above conditions for planting, then the sprouts will hatch after one and a half to two months. When this happens, you need to move the plants to a place where there is a lot of light. If you leave the plants in partial shade, then they will intensively stretch upward.When several pairs of real leaves appear on the sprouts, they can be dived into separate containers.

Fern pellea: photo

About diseases and pests of pellets

Most often, this culture can be affected by aphids, thrips, scale insects, nematodes. In order to solve these problems, you need to treat the plant with an insecticide dissolved in water. In order not to face such a problem at all, for preventive purposes, you need to systematically spray the fern with a spray bottle.

If you see that the color of the foliage turns from green to yellow, and after that it dries altogether, this means that such an ailment as a nematode has visited your plant. Typically, this problem occurs when the water for irrigation is too low temperature, as well as when it has a high chlorine content.

If the leaf plates take on a twisted and drooping shape, then perhaps this means that the room in which the pellei fern grows is too rarely ventilated.

Fern pellea: photo

Fern pellei: plant species

Round-leaved pellet

It is quite simple to grow round-leaved pellets at home. In terms of whimsical care, round-leaved pellet is the easiest option of all. The leaves have a feathery structure, along the edges from time to time there are notches. The upper part of the leaf of the round-leaved pellet is colored in a dark green tone, and the lower one has a lighter shade.

Green pellet

Fern pellea: photo

The root system of this variety has a creeping shape, the edges of the leaves, as well as the stems, are colored in a chocolate shade. The leaf plate is round, rather fleshy. This is the largest representative of these, while the leaves have an oblong shape.

Spear pellet

Shoots of a spear-shaped pellet spread, the leaf resembles a spear in shape. In their length, the leaves of the spear-shaped pellei can reach about sixty centimeters.

Naked pellea

The appearance of this plant will impress even the most discerning growers. Shoots grow about thirty-five centimeters. The leaves grow on bare stems, which are colored in a dark brown tone. This pellet needs a lot of light. The naked pellei fern is able to tolerate low temperatures well.

Dark purple pellet

The leaf plate of this variety is capable of growing fifty centimeters. The shoots are colored deep purple, the surface is covered with a small fluff. Many experienced flower growers recommend placing this type of fern on the windowsill of a window with a northern exposure.

Egg pellet

This plant has a fairly compact size, the appearance is very elegant and decorative. The leaves are shaped like a heart, the color is quite delicate, green. In its height, such a plant reaches about forty centimeters. It is best to place such a pellet in a well-lit place, while the light should be diffused.